Oil features in various contexts in the Jewish textual tradition. In the Bible, oil is used to anoint kings, High Priests, and vessels of the Tabernacle (mishkan), as fuel for the Menorah, and in various biblical stories. Oil also features as an element in food, cosmetics, medicine, and sacrifices, among other functions.
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The Symbolism of OilMIDRASH
The Symbolism of Oil
MIDRASH
Oil appears in poetic images and phrases throughout the Tanakh. The midrashic work Shir HaShirim Rabbah builds on those verses to explore the metaphorical potential of oil to illuminate the nature of Torah and the Jewish people.
The Promise of OilTANAKH
The Promise of Oil
TANAKH
Oil is part of the divine promise of agricultural bounty and sustenance, contingent upon the Israelites' obedience to God's commandments. In Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the people of Israel of God's rewards for obeying the commandments and serving God with all their heart and soul.
The Honor of Anointing with Olive OilCOMMENTARY
The Honor of Anointing with Olive Oil
COMMENTARY
Olive oil is not just a cooking ingredient; it holds important ritual significance in Jewish tradition. Isaac Abarbanel, a Spanish commentator of the 15th and 16th centuries, explores the reasons behind the use of olive oil for anointing holy objects and people, emphasizing its representation of honor, stature, and permanence.
The Wisdom of TekoaTALMUD
The Wisdom of Tekoa
TALMUD
The residents of Tekoa were renowned for their wisdom, which Rabbi Yoḥanan attributes to their regular use of olive oil. The Talmudic tractate Menachot discusses various offerings and rituals, including the use of olive oil.
Refining the Soul Like OilCHASIDUT
Refining the Soul Like Oil
CHASIDUT
Not all olive oils are the same, depending especially on how they are produced. The Sefat Emet, a collection of Chasidic teachings by Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter, likens the process of oil preparation to human spiritual refinement.
The Mystical Natures of Oil and WineKABBALAH
The Mystical Natures of Oil and Wine
KABBALAH
Oil is among a small set of liquids with specific religious uses and significances in Judaism. The Zohar, a foundational work of Jewish mysticism, compares the symbolic significance of oil and wine, highlighting their different spiritual qualities.
The Miracle of the Chanukkah OilTALMUD
The Miracle of the Chanukkah Oil
TALMUD
The story of the miraculous Chanukkah oil, where a single cruse of oil lasted for eight days, is a foundation of the Chanukkah holiday. The Talmud, in tractate Shabbat, recounts this miracle and explains the origins and observances of Chanukkah.
Elisha's Divine ProvisionTANAKH
Elisha's Divine Provision
TANAKH
The miraculous provision of oil by the prophet Elisha showcases divine intervention and sustenance in times of dire financial distress. The biblical narrative in II Kings recounts how Elisha instructed a widow to gather empty vessels, which were miraculously filled with oil, allowing her to pay her debts and live on the remainder.
The Abundance of AsherCOMMENTARY
The Abundance of Asher
COMMENTARY
The tribe of Asher was renowned for its abundant production of olive oil, a prized commodity in ancient times. Tamar Weissman’s work explores the historical and cultural significance of Asher’s territory in the northwestern Galilee, known for its rich olive oil production.
Ancient Beauty SecretsTALMUD
Ancient Beauty Secrets
TALMUD
Aside from use in food, ritual, and for fuel, oil is used for cosmetics. The Talmud describes ancient cosmetic practices using oil to explain a verse from the book of Esther about the regimen of the king's harem.
Tree to MenorahCOMMENTARY
Tree to Menorah
COMMENTARY
The prophet Zechariah describes a cryptic vision of the Temple's menorah and olive trees. The Tze'enah Ure'enah, a Yiddish commentary from the early 17th century, explains the vision as a depiction of an expedited process for making oil for the menorah.
As Good and Pleasant as Oil Dripping Down a BeardTANAKH
As Good and Pleasant as Oil Dripping Down a Beard
TANAKH
Moses anointed his brother Aaron as the high priest, by pouring oil on his head. The brief 133rd psalm employs a vivid image of the anointing oil dripping down Aaron's beard and clothes.
The Anointing Oil DebateCOMMENTARY
The Anointing Oil Debate
COMMENTARY
Olive oil was mixed with certain spices and used for anointing in special dedication ceremonies. Yerucham Fishel Perla's early 20th-century commentary on Sefer HaMitzvot of R' Saadia Gaon argues against an opinion held by some sources that the only oil that could be used for anointing was the very batch of oil that Moses made in the desert.
The Pride of KorachMIDRASH
The Pride of Korach
MIDRASH
Korach's pride and sense of entitlement led to his rebellion against Moses in the book of Numbers. The medieval midrash Bamidbar Rabbah explains the pride of Korach as stemming from his name which means “oil”.
The Eternal LightTANAKH
The Eternal Light
TANAKH
The commandment to bring clear oil of beaten olives for the Menorah underscores the importance of maintaining a perpetual light in the Tent of Meeting. The book of Leviticus details this commandment, emphasizing the need for the highest quality oil and the continuous nature of this practice.
Permissible Oils and Wicks for ShabbatMISHNAH
Permissible Oils and Wicks for Shabbat
MISHNAH
Jewish tradition provides specific regulations regarding which oils and wicks are permissible and appropriate for Shabbat lights. The Mishnah, a foundational Jewish legal text from the early third century, details these regulations in a passage that is commonly recited on Friday evenings during the service to receive Shabbat.
The Production of Olive Oil for the Temple ServiceMISHNAH
The Production of Olive Oil for the Temple Service
MISHNAH
The process of producing olive oil is an ancient agricultural and industrial process. This mishnah from tractate Menachot details the procedure of producing different grades of olive oil, and how each were used in the Temple service.
The Significance of Olive Oil for ChanukkahMUSAR
The Significance of Olive Oil for Chanukkah
MUSAR
The preference for using olive oil to light the Chanukkah candles is rooted in the miracle of the Temple's menorah, which was performed with olive oil. Rabbi Isaiah HaLevi Horowitz, in his 17th-century work Shenei Luchot HaBerit, explores the significance of olive oil in the Chanukkah miracle and its connections to various textual traditions and gematria.
The Role of Oil in Temple OfferingsHALAKHAH
The Role of Oil in Temple Offerings
HALAKHAH
The intricate details of oil usage in meal-offerings highlight the precision and care required in ancient Jewish worship. In his 12th-century legal code, the Mishneh Torah, Maimonides outlines the specific requirements for oil in meal-offerings, reflecting the scriptural directives.
Humility and Compassion in the Meal-OfferingHALAKHAH
Humility and Compassion in the Meal-Offering
HALAKHAH
Not every meal offering includes oil. The Sefer HaChinukh, a 13th-century Spanish work, explains the rationale behind the absence of oil as a part of certain particular offerings.